Case for a tablet shaped device

ABSTRACT

A case for a tablet-shaped device.

PRIORITY CLAIM

The present application is a continuation U.S. patent application Ser. No. 17/004,993, filed Aug. 27, 2020, which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/117,149, filed Aug. 30, 2018, now U.S. Pat. No. 10,763,910, issued Sep. 1, 2020, which claims priority to Australian Patent Application No. 2018901752, filed on May 18, 2018, the disclosures of which are hereby incorporated by reference herein in their entireties.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The disclosure herein generally relates to a case for a tablet shaped device.

BACKGROUND

Cases for tablet shaped devices, examples of which include the APPLE IPAD, SAMSUNG GALAXY TAB, LENOVO TAB, smartphones like the APPLE IPHONE, and some personal digital assistants, are commercially available.

Some tablet shaped devices are configured to be used with a stylus. In the context of the present application, the term stylus encompasses a hand-held tool used by a user to interact with a touch sensitive area (for example a touch sensitive screen) of a tablet shaped device. A stylus may, but not necessarily, comprise an elongated shaft having opposite ends and a touch sensitive area interaction tip at at least one of the opposite ends.

Commercially available cases for tablet shaped devices may not meet some of the needs of consumer needs, including but not limited to the need to conveniently store a stylus.

SUMMARY

Disclosed herein is a case for a tablet shaped device. The case comprises a body comprising a face having a tablet shaped device receiving area. The case comprises a stylus holder at a margin of the face. The stylus holder defines an elongate cavity for receiving either of a first stylus for the tablet shaped device and a second stylus for the tablet shaped device. The second stylus for the tablet shaped device has a different configuration than the first stylus.

In an embodiment, the stylus holder comprises at least one obstructing element arranged to obstruct removal of at least one of the first stylus for the tablet shaped device and the second stylus for the tablet shaped device from the elongate cavity when so received thereby. The at least one obstructing element may be attached to an elongate cavity wall that is outwardly bendable and resilient wherein the at least one obstructing element attached thereto is outwardly movable for removal of either of the first stylus for the tablet shaped device and the second stylus for the tablet shaped device from the elongate cavity. An optional discontinuity in the elongate cavity wall may provide finger access to either of the first stylus for the tablet shaped device and the second stylus for the tablet shaped device when so received.

In an embodiment, the stylus holder comprises a stylus tip receiver for receiving a tip of either of the first stylus and the second stylus. The stylus tip receiver may comprise a web defining a space for receiving the tip therein. The stylus tip receiver may define a passageway having an outwardly orientated opening and which opens into the space for ingress and egress of the tip into the space.

In an embodiment, the stylus tip receiver may comprise at least one resilient lip that at least partially closes the outwardly orientated opening whereby the at least one resilient lip hinders removal of the tip when so received. The outwardly orientated opening may be narrower than a width of the tip. The web may span the elongate cavity.

In an embodiment the stylus holder comprises a stylus cap receiver for receiving a cap of the second stylus. The stylus cap receiver may comprise a web defining a cradle configured to capture the stylus cap. The web may comprise at least one resilient lip that at least partially closes an outwardly orientated cradle opening whereby the at least one resilient lip hinders removal of the stylus cap when so received.

An embodiment comprises a back wall. The web may tapper into the back wall.

Disclosed herein is a case for a tablet shaped device. The case may comprise a body comprising a face having a tablet receiving area. The case may comprise a stylus holder at a margin of the face for holding a stylus for the tablet shaped device, the stylus holder defining an elongate cavity for receiving a stylus. The case may comprise a stylus tip receiver for receiving a tip of the stylus.

Any of the various features of each of the above disclosures, and of the various features of the embodiments described below, can be combined as suitable and desired.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Embodiments will now be described by way of example only with reference to the accompanying figures in which:

FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of an embodiment of a case for a tablet shaped device and a stylus.

FIG. 2 shows a detail of a stylus tip receiver of the case of FIG. 1 .

FIG. 3 shows a detail of a stylus cap receiver of the case of FIG. 1 .

FIG. 4 shows a picture of a portion of the case of FIG. 1 in which a tablet shaped device and a first stylus are received thereby.

FIG. 5 shows a picture of a portion of the case of FIG. 1 in which the tablet shaped device and a second stylus are received thereby.

FIG. 6 shows a picture of a portion of the case of FIG. 1 in which the tablet shaped device and a cap of the second stylus are received thereby.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIGS. 1 through 6 show various views of an embodiment of a case (indicated by numeral 10) for a tablet shaped device 12. The case 10 comprises a body 14 comprising a front face 16 having a tablet shaped device receiving area 18. The case 10 has a stylus holder 20 at a margin 22 of the face 16. The stylus holder 20 defines an elongate cavity 24. The stylus holder 20 can receive within the elongate cavity 24 a first stylus 26 for the tablet shaped device 12, as shown in FIG. 4 . The stylus holder 20 can receive a second stylus 28 for the tablet shaped device 12, as shown in FIG. 5 . The first stylus 26 has a different configuration than the second stylus 28.

The case 10 is configured for removable capture of either of the first stylus 26 and the second stylus 28 within the elongate cavity 24, and in doing so may accommodate the different configurations of the first stylus 26 and the second stylus 28.

The first stylus 26 has a two opposite ends 30, 31. One of the ends 31 comprises a tip 29 in the form of a touch sensitive area interaction tip. The other end 30 comprises a circumferential sidewall protuberance 34 in the form of a boss. Intermediate the two opposite ends 30,31 is an elongated stylus shaft 32 that can be held in a user's hand. Parts of the second stylus 28 that are similar and/or identical in form and/or function to parts of the first stylus 26 are similarly numbered.

The stylus holder 20 comprises at least one obstructing element 36, 40—in this embodiment two obstructing elements, however other embodiments may have one or more than two obstructing elements—arranged to obstruct removal of at least the first stylus 26 from the elongate cavity 24 when so received thereby. The obstructing elements 36,40 narrow the opening of the stylus holder 20. Each of the obstructing elements 36,40 are in the form of a rib parallel to the elongated cavity 24, however at least one of the obstructing elements may be in the form of a semi-sphere or generally take any suitable form. Obstructing elements 38,40 may assist in the capture of the stylus 26,28. That is, the first stylus 26 is captured within the elongate cavity 24 by the obstructing elements 36,40. The obstructing elements 36,40 are attached to elongate cavity wall 42 that is outwardly bendable and resilient. The obstructing elements 36,40 attached to the elongate cavity wall 42 are outwardly movable for removal of the first stylus 26 from the elongate cavity 20. A discontinuity 44 in the elongate cavity wall 42 provides finger access to either of the first stylus 26 and the second stylus 28 when so received.

The stylus holder 20 comprises a stylus tip receiver 46, best understood with reference to FIG. 2 . The stylus tip receiver 46 is for receiving a tip 29 of either of the first stylus 26 and the second stylus 28. The stylus tip receiver 46 comprises a web 48 defining a space 50 for receiving the tip 29 of either of the first stylus 26 and the second stylus 28 therein. The stylus tip receiver 46 defines a passageway 52 having an outwardly orientated opening 55 and which opens into the space 50 for ingress and egress of the tip 29 into the space 50. The stylus tip receiver 46 comprises at least one resilient lip 54 in this embodiment one either side of the opening 55, that at least partially closes the outwardly orientated opening 55 whereby the at least one resilient lip 54 hinders removal of the tip 29 when so received. The outwardly orientated opening 52 is narrower than a width of the tip of either of the first stylus 26 and the second stylus 28. The web 48 spans the elongate cavity 20, between outer cavity wall 42 and inner cavity wall 43, however in other embodiments it may not, and may be interrupted so as to consist of two web components, for example.

The second stylus 28 has an electrical connector under cap 62 for charging, which is revealed for use by removal of the cap 62. The stylus holder 20 comprises a stylus cap receiver 60, best understood with reference to FIGS. 3 and 6 . The stylus cap receiver 60 is for receiving a cap 62 of the second stylus 28. The stylus cap receiver 60 comprises another web 64 defining a cradle configured to capture the stylus cap 62 to the case 10. In this embodiment, the cradle holds the stylus cap 62 when received thereby but it may not in other embodiments. The stylus cap receiver 60 comprises at least one other resilient lip 66 that at least partially closes an outwardly orientated cradle opening 68 whereby the at least one resilient lip 66, in this embodiment two other resilient lips, hinder removal of the stylus cap 62 when so received. The web 64 tappers into the back wall 70 of the case 10, which may provide the necessary space for the cap, and may be aesthetically pleasing.

The first stylus 26 is shorter than the second stylus 28. The stylus cap receiver 60 is disposed outside of a first stylus receiving area of the elongate cavity 24 that is between the stylus cap receiver 60 and the tip receiver 46. Consequently, the stylus cap receiver 60 does not interfere with insertion of the first stylus 26 into the elongate cavity 24.

Now that embodiments have been described, it will be appreciated that some embodiments may have some of the following advantages:

-   -   The first stylus, for example, may be a different brand stylus         than that of the second stylus. A consumer may wish to choose         which brand of stylus to purchase without selecting a special         case that only accommodates the chosen brand of stylus.         Embodiments may accommodate this.     -   A consumer may wish to stop using the first stylus with the         tablet shaped device in case 10 and commence using the second         stylus with the tablet shaped device in the case 10, for         example. Embodiments may accommodate this.     -   A cap may be captured while a stylus is being recharged, for         example, which may prevent loss, for example.

Variations and/or modifications may be made to the embodiments described without departing from the spirit or ambit of the invention. The present embodiments are, therefore, to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive. Reference to a feature disclosed herein does not mean that all embodiments must include the feature.

Prior art, if any, described herein is not to be taken as an admission that the prior art forms part of the common general knowledge in any jurisdiction.

In the claims which follow and in the preceding description of the invention, except where the context requires otherwise due to express language or necessary implication, the word “comprise” or variations such as “comprises” or “comprising” is used in an inclusive sense, that is to specify the presence of the stated features but not to preclude the presence or addition of further features in various embodiments of the invention. 

The invention claimed is:
 1. A case for a tablet shaped device, the case comprising: a body having a tablet shaped device receiving area, the body further defining an elongate cavity opening and an elongate cavity at a margin of the body for securing each of two differently sized styluses individually for the tablet shaped device, the body comprising an elongate cavity wall defining the outer edge of the elongate cavity and which is outwardly bendable; and a pair of obstructing elements configured as elongate tabs extending from the elongate cavity wall into the elongate cavity opening thereby obstructing removal of one or an other of the two differently sized styluses from the elongate cavity when so received, the pair of obstructing elements being outwardly movable by outwardly bending the elongate cavity wall for removal of the one or the other of the two differently sized styluses from the elongate cavity when so received.
 2. A case for a tablet shaped device defined by claim 1 wherein the elongate cavity wall is an outer cavity wall and wherein the elongate cavity is further defined by an inner cavity wall, and wherein an additional obstructing element configured as an elongate tab is extending from the inner cavity wall, the additional obstructing element projects towards the outer cavity wall to a position intermediate the pair of obstructing elements extending from the outer cavity wall.
 3. A case defined by claim 1 wherein the tablet shaped receiving area is at a front face of the case, and wherein an opening in the elongate cavity wall intermediate the pair of obstructing elements provides finger access to the one or the other of the two differently sized styluses when so received, the opening providing access from a back side of the case.
 4. A case defined by claim 2 wherein the body has a plurality of webbings at the margin and wherein one of the plurality of webbings has an opening sized to receive each of the stylus tips of the two differently sized styluses.
 5. The case defined by claim 1 wherein the body has a plurality of webbings at the margin and wherein one of the plurality of webbings has an opening sized for a first stylus of the two differently sized styluses and wherein another of the plurality of webbings has an opening sized for a second stylus of the two differently sized styluses, and wherein the opening sized for the first stylus is sized differently than the opening for the second stylus.
 6. The case defined by claim 4 wherein two additional ones of the plurality of webbings have respective openings sized differently from each other to receive and retain one or the other of the two differently sized styluses.
 7. The case defined by claim 1 wherein the body has a third obstructing element extending from the body opposite the pair of obstructing elements extending from the elongate cavity wall.
 8. The case defined by claim 7 wherein the third obstructing element is positioned to extend into the elongate cavity opening inbetween the positions of where the pair of obstructing elements extends into the elongate cavity opening.
 9. A case defined by claim 1 wherein the elongate cavity is defined by two closed webbings of the plurality of webbings, the two closed webbings defining respective ends of the elongate cavity.
 10. A case defined by claim 9 wherein the elongate cavity wall defines an additional cavity in axial alignment with the elongate cavity, the additional cavity having an a plurality of webbings therein with two of the webbings having opening defined therein.
 11. The case for holding the tablet shaped device of claim 9, wherein an additional cavity is provided that is in axial alignment with the elongate cavity a webbing without an opening therein extending between the elongate cavity and the additional cavity.
 12. The case of claim 1 in combination with the two differently sized styluses.
 13. A case for holding a tablet shaped device, the case comprising: a generally rectangular body having a margin extending therearound and having a tablet shaped device receiving area and a stylus holder, the case positionable whereby the stylus holder is positioned below the tablet shaped device receiving area, the stylus holder defined by an elongate cavity opening and an elongate cavity at a lower margin of the body for securing each of two differently sized styluses for the tablet shaped device, a first stylus and a second stylus, the body comprising an outer cavity wall and an inner cavity wall, the outer cavity wall outwardly bendable; the outer cavity wall having a pair of obstructing elements configured as elongate tabs extending from the outer cavity wall toward the inner cavity wall, the inner cavity wall having a third obstructing element configured as an elongate tab extending from the inner cavity wall toward the outer cavity wall, the pair of obstructing elements and the third obstructing elements obstructing removal of at least one of the two differently sized styluses from the elongate cavity when so received, the case further having a webbing with an opening sized for the first stylus and another webbing with another opening sized for the second stylus, the opening sized for the first stylus sized differently than the opening sized for the second stylus.
 14. The case for holding the tablet shaped device of claim 13, wherein the body has four corners and each of the four corners having a respective thickened portion projecting outwardly therefrom.
 15. The case for holding the tablet shaped device of claim 14, wherein two of the four corners that are positioned about the elongate cavity opening having a plurality of webbings with each adjacent pair of webbings having a cavity positioned therebetween.
 16. The case for holding the tablet shaped device of claim 15, wherein each webbing extends in a direction transverse to the lengthwise direction of the elongate cavity.
 17. The case for holding the tablet shaped device of claim 13, wherein the first stylus is secured in the stylus holder by a webbing with an opening therein that engages the tip of the first stylus and is further secured by the elongate cavity wall with the pair of obstructing elements, and wherein the second stylus is secured in the stylus holder by the webbing with the opening therein that engages the tip of the second stylus and is further secured by another webbing with an opening sized to a shaft of the second stylus.
 18. A case for holding a tablet shaped device, the case having a body with a margin extending therearound and defining a tablet shaped device receiving area having a width greater than a height, the body further having a stylus holder positioned at the margin below the tablet shaped device receiving area, the stylus holder having an elongate cavity defined by an outer cavity wall and an inner cavity wall, the elongate cavity being configured for receiving individually both of a first stylus and a second stylus, each of the first and second stylus having a respective tip and a respective stylus shaft, the first stylus being shorter in length than the second stylus, the first stylus having a shaft thicker than the shaft of the second stylus, the stylus holder having three obstructing elements configured as elongate tabs for capturing the thicker shaft of the first stylus but not the shaft of the second stylus, two of the obstructing elements projecting from the outer cavity wall in a direction toward the tablet shaped device receiving area and positioned in the elongate cavity, the other one of the three obstructing elements extending from the inner cavity wall in a direction opposite that of the two obstructing elements extending from the outer cavity wall, the other one of the three obstructing elements centrally positioned with respect to the two of the obstructing elements extending from the outer cavity wall and being positioned in the elongate cavity, the stylus holder having a plurality of webbings positioned towards each of two lateral ends of the body, wherein one webbing of the plurality of webbings is positioned in the elongate cavity and having an opening therein defining a stylus tip receiver, the stylus tip receiver receives the tip of the first stylus and receives the tip of the second stylus, and wherein another one of the plurality of webbings is positioned toward an end of the elongate cavity opposite the stylus tip receiver and is sized for receiving the shaft of the second stylus.
 19. The case for holding the tablet shaped device of claim 18, wherein each webbing extends in a direction transverse to the direction of an axis of the elongate cavity.
 20. The case for holding the tablet shaped device of claim 18, wherein the body has four corners and each of the four corners having a respective enlarged portion projecting outwardly therefrom. 